The Value of Information Shared by Indonesian Social Media Influencers Living in Germany

This article examines the informational value and influence of Indonesian Social Media Influencers (SMIs) in Germany as informal information intermediaries, highlighting how they disseminate knowledge about living in Germany and shape Indonesians' perceptions of educational and employment opportunities abroad. The study adopts a critical narrative literature review combined with reflexive digital observation of public content produced by Indonesian SMIs residing in Germany. The findings suggest that the informational value of SMI content is shaped by three interrelated dimensions: utility, relatability, and credibility. Indonesian SMIs provide practical information about education, employment, migration, culture, and everyday life in Germany, while their shared Indonesian identity and personal experiences abroad make this information relatable to Indonesian audiences. Further, although most Indonesian SMIs in Germany do not primarily produce political content, their experiences and opinions may indirectly contribute to political awareness and broader social discussions. However, their influential position also creates challenges regarding misinformation. Overall, the study highlights that the value of information shared by SMIs depends not only on what is communicated but also on who communicates it and how audiences interpret it.